Dual purpose watercraft



June 14, 1966 H. TEETOR 3,255,723

DUAL PURPOSE WATERCRAFT Filed May 18, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 IVENTOR. 16

Q" Hermawleibtzj June 14, 1966 H. TEETOR 3,

DUAL PURPOSE WATERCRAFT Filed May 18, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 UnitedStates Patent 3,255,723 DUAL PURROSE WATERCRAFT Herman Teeter, 15th Ave.S., Naples, Fla.

Filed May 13, 1964, Ser. No. 368,142

15 Claims. (Cl. 114--16) This invention relates to watercraft, and moreparticularly to a craft which may be used either at the surface of thewater or for diving purposes.

The current widespread enthusiasm for water sports has included aninterest in underwater diving. Of special interest is equipment whichwill permit an individual to move about and remain underwater forseveral minutes. One disadvantage with currently available equipment isthat it requires considerable expense to obtain and maintain. Anotherdisadvantage with available equipment is that an individual using itmust be relatively skillful before he can obtain satisfactory results.Equipment not having these dis-advantages would of course be verydesirable.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a craft whichmay be used either in an upright position at the surface of the water ormay be overturned and used for diving purposes, such dual purposeeliminating the expense of a separate device for each purpose.

It is another object to provide a dual purpose craft of the foregoingcharacter, which will permit an individual using it to remain underwaterfor several minutes.

Another object is to provide a dual purpose'craft of the foregoingcharacter, which will permit an individual using it to move aboutunderwater. I

Still another object is to provide a dual purpose craft of the foregoingcharacter, which will enable an individual using it to obtain anexcellent view of underwater objects when the craft is in the uprightposition at the surface of the water.

A still further object is to provide a craft of the foregoing character,having built-in automatic safety features.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent fromthe following description taken in conjunction with the accompanyingfigures of the draw: ings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a craft embodying the inventlon;

FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the craft but showing the craft ina different position;

FIG. 3 is a reduced longitudinal sectional view of the craft when in theposition shown in FIG. 2; and

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of FIG. 3.

In general, a watercraft embodying the invention comprises a wallstructure forming a watertight hull sufiiciently large to support anindividual. The craft is adapted to be used either in an uprightposition at the surface of the water or in an overturned position eitherat or below the surface of the water. When the craft is in theoverturned position, it is adapted to capture a pocket of air within theenclosure formed by the hull which renders the hull buoyant and providesa limited supply of air for an occupant to breathe. At least a portionof the wall structure is preferably transparent so that an occupant mayview objects in the surrounding water and means is formed on the hullwhereby the hull may be towed through the water when in said overturnedposition. Means is also formed on the 'hull for supporting the occupantwith at least his head in the air pocket when the hull is in theoverturned position, and manually operable control means is attached tothe hull which permits the occupant to control the depth of the hull inthe Water as it is being towed through the water in the overturnedposition. The control means preferably comprises a plurality of planesattached to and extending outwardly from the wall structure of the hull,the planes preferably being tiltable about axes normal to the directionof motion of the dinghy as it is being towed. In addition, means is alsoprovided for constantly urging the planes to a position Where the dinghyrises to the surface of the water, this latter means being a safetyfeature.

Ingreater detail, a craft embodying the invention is illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 2 and comprises two side walls 10 and 11, end walls 12 and13, and a bottom wall 14, the walls 10 to 14 being secured together toform a watertight hull. When the craft is in use, the side walls 10 and11 and .one end wall, in this instance the end Wall 12, aresubstantially vertical, and the bottom wall 14 is substantiallyhorizontal. The two side walls 10 and 11 :may be substantially planarand are preferably made of a relatively lightweight material such asstyrofoam, and the end walls 12 and 13 and the bottom wall 14 may beformed from a single rectangular sheet of transparent material such asheavy plastic. At the other end of the craft, the edges of the sidewalls 10 and 11 adjacent the bottom wall 14 may be curved upwardly tothe upper edges of the walls It) and 11, and the sheet of materialforming the bottom wall 14 and the wall 13 at that end may follow thesecurved edges to form a sledlike construction. As shown in FIG. 4 twostraps 16 may be positioned over the outer" surface of the transparentsheet forming the end and bottom walls at the side edges thereof, andfasteners such as screws 17 may be inserted through the straps 16 andthe transparent sheet and screwed into the side walls 10 and 11 for thepurpose of tightly securing the transparent sheet to the side walls. Inthe event the transparent sheet is not strong enough to withstand theforces encountered during use, suitable strengthening ribs may of coursebe provided for the purpose of reinforcing the transparent sheet.

The craft further includes a plurality of seats 18 and 19 which extendbetween the side walls 10 and 11 and are connected thereto. The seats 18and 19 are preferably generally rectangular members, and are supportedby longitudinally extending slots 21 formed in the side walls 10 and 11,the slots 21 receiving the ends of the seats 18 and 19. The ends of theseats 18 and 19 are preferably loose in the slots 21 so that they may beadjusted longitudinally of the craft within the slots 21. Further, theslots 21 and the seats 18 and 19 are spaced from the bottom wall 14sufficiently far that an individual may crawl into the space between theseats and the bottom wall and lie down on the seats 18 and 19 when thecraft is in the overturn-ed position, as shown in FIG. 3.

With regard to FIGS. 2 and 3, the hull is adapted to be attached to atow boat and be pulled through the water with the end wall 12 facingforward and with the hull in the overturned position. To this end, a towring 22 is secured to each side wall 10 and 11 and extends outwardlytherefrom, and a bridle hitch type of arrangement is provided,comprising two flexible lines 23 and 24 which are connected between atow rope 26 and two hooks 28. The hooks 28 are adapted to be connectedto the rings 22 when the craft is to be pulled through the water. Aspreader bar 29 is connected between the two lines 23 and 24 and holdsthese two lines spaced apart beyond the adjacent end of the craft toprevent the line's 23 and 24 from rubbing against the :hull.

The rings 22 must of course be properly positioned to give the craftstability as it is being towed through the water in the overturnedposition. If the rings 22 are too close to the end wall 12, that end ofthe craft will tend to rise upwardly and perhaps permit the pocket ofair to escape. On the other hand, if the rings 22 are too far from theend wall 12, the craft will be unstable and tend to nose over. Inaddition, the rings 22 must be properly positioned in the verticaldirection to give stability. The proper position of the rings 22 and theproper position of the seats 18 and 19 are related to the size of thecraft and the speed at which it is expected the craft will be towed whenin the overturned position.

Means is also provided for controlling the depth of the craft as it isbeing towed through the water in the overturned position. As shown inthe drawings, this means may comprise a plurality of elevators or planesincluding a pair of planes 31 adjacent the end wall 13 and a pair ofplanes 32 adjacent the other end wall 12. The planes 31 and 32 arepreferably located outside of the side walls and 11 andare tiltable onaxes which are substantially normal to the direction of motion of thecraft as it is being towed. To this end, shafts 33 and 34 are provided,the shafts 33 and 34 extending laterally of the hull and throughopenings 36 (FIG. 4) formed in side walls 10 and 11. The shafts 33 and34 are preferably tubular members, and the flat planes 31 and 32 aresecured to slotted rods 37 which are positioned in the ends of theshafts 33 and 34. The rods 37 may be secured to the shafts 33 and 34 bybolts or pins 38 which extend through lateral holes formed through theshafts 33 and 34 and the rods 37, the bolts 38 preventing bothlongitudinal and rotative movement of the rods 37 relative to the shafts33 and 34. The planes 31 and 32 may be secured to the rods 37 by forminga longitudinal slot 39 through each rod 37 and positioning a plane ineach slot and securing it to the rod as by welding or by screws.

To prevent water from entering the interior of the hull through theopenings 36 and around the shafts 33 and 34, four watertight bearingsare provided, each comprising an outer sleeve 41 and an inner sleeve 42which are positioned around the associated shaft 33 or 34 and within anopening 36 (FIG. 4). For each bearing, the outer sleeve 41 includes aflange which overlies the outer surface of the side wall at the marginof the opening 36 and is tightly secured to the side wall. The portionof the outer sleeve 41 within the opening 36 is recessed, and packing 43is positioned within the recess around the shaft. Internal threads areformed at the inner end of each outer sleeve 41 and the innner sleeve 42is threaded into the outer sleeve 41 and compresses the packing 43slightly, thus providing a watertight connection between the associatedshaft and side wall. Water may enter the interior of the tubular shafts33 and 34 but it cannot leak into the interior of the hull because theportion of each of the shafts within the hull is iniperforate.

The shafts 33 and 34' are preferably interconnected in order to causethe four planes 31 and 32 to move equally. To this end, a link 47 issecured as by welding to each of the shafts 33 and 34 and extendssubstantially radially outwardly therefrom and a bar 46 is pivotallyconnected to the outer ends of the links 47.

The planes 31 and 32 may be manipulated by means of rod-like handles 48which are secured to one of the shafts, in this instance, the shaft 34.The handles 48 extend from the shaft 34 generally toward the bottom wall14 and may be grasped by an individual when in the position shown inFIG. 3. Further, biasing means is preferably provided for constantlyurging the planes 31 and 32 to a position where they tend to cause thecraft to rise to the surface of the water. This biasing means is asafety feature which will protect an individual using the craft in theevent he becomes ill and cannot manipulate the planes to raise thecraft. This biasing means may comprise a simple tension spring 49 (FIGS.1 and 3) which is connected between one of the side walls 10 and 11 andthe adjacent end of the bar 46. The spring 49 urges the shafts 33 and34, and the planes attached thereto, in the clockwise direction as seenin FIG. 3, which is toward the position of the planes where they causethe craft to rise to the surface of the water when it is being towed tothe left. In addition to the lift provided by the planes, the

buoyancy of the craft will also raise the craft. It is preferred thatthe craft is sufficiently buoyant that the planes must slope downwardlyas shown in FIG. 3 to hold the craft underwater, and that the craft willautomatically rise to the surface due to its buoyancy as soon as thehandles 48 are released.

An individual using the craft may place it in the water in the uprightposition shown in FIG. 1 and either paddle or be towed through the waterwith the sloped end wall 13 forward. Since the bottom wall 14, in theform shown, is completely transparent the individual may observe thebottom or underwater objects with great clarity since there will belittle disturbance due to reflections or ripples in the water. When theindividual sees something that he wishes to investigate further, hefirst attaches the planes 31 and 32 to the shafts 33 and 34 if they werenot previously attached to the shafts. This may be done simply byinserting the rods 37 into the ends of the shafts 33 and 34 and securingthem together using the bolt and nut combinations 38. The individualthen overturns the craft in such a manner as to capture a pocket of airwithin the enclosure formed by the hull, and he attaches the towinghooks 28 to the rings 22. Thereafter, the individual enters the pocketof air from below the craft and crawls into the space between the seats18 and 19 and the bottom wall 14 and lies down on the seats 18 and 19.The longitudinal position of the seats 18 and 19 may be adjusted toobtain proper balance of the craft when in this position. As shown inFIG. 3, the individual faces the rearward wall 12 and grasps the handles48 in order to manipulate the planes 31 and 32. The craft is then towedthrough the water by the tow boat with the rearward wall 12 forward.Since the wall 12 is transparent the individual has a good view ahead ofhim. Ordinarily the weight of the individual is sufiicient to cause theplanes 31 and 32 initially to extend into the water somewhat when thecraft is stationary, and the individual by tilting the planes 21 and 22downwardly as shown in FIG. 3, may cause the craft to move below thesurface of the water as the craft is being towed. In the eventdifficulty is encountered in causing the craft to submerge due toexcessive buoyancy, an air release valve 51 (FIGS. 3 and 4) may beprovided in one of the side walls 10 and 11 at a position where it maybe adjusted by the individual to permit some of the air to escape fromthe air pocket. This action reduces the buoyancy of the craft andpermits it to submerge. The wall 12 is preferably normal to thedirection of motion of the craft to provide increased stability. Sincefour planes are provided, one near each corner of the craft, the craftwill always be substantially horizontal in the water and will not permitthe air pocket toaccidentally escape. The craft is very simple tooperate since the operator need only manipulate the handles 48 to causethe craft to either move up or down in the water. Of course, the depthof the craft depends upon the speed at which it is towed and the angleof inclination of the planes 31 and 32. The amount of time an individualmay remain under the water depends upon the individual and the size ofthe air pocket. In the event the individual becomes ill and releases thehandles 48, the spring 49 will turn the planes 31 and 32 upwardly andthecraft will immediately rise to the surface. If desired, a telephone maybe provided having a line extending from the individual to the tow boat.This line may be attached to and follow the tow rope 26.

I claim:

1. A dual purpose watercraft comprising wall structure forming awatertight hull having one open side, which is adapted to be used in aconventional upright position with said open side uppermost and also beused in an overturned position with said open side lowermost, said hullbeing adapted to capture a pocket of air when in said overturnedposition, said pocket of air being bounded by said hull and by waterpartially entering said open side and pressurizing the air in saidpocket, means formed on said hull for connection of said hull to a towboat, said means being formed to permit said hull to be towed when insaid overturned position, means secured to said hull for supporting anindividual with at least the individuals head in said air pocket whensaid hull is in said overturned position, and manually adjustablecontrol means attached directly to said hull for controlling the depthof said hull while it is being towed in said overturned position.

2. A dual purpose watercraft as in claim 1, wherein said wall structureis generally rectangular in horizontal cross section and includes sidewalls, end walls and a bottom wall.

3. A dual purpose watercraft comprising wall structure forming awatertight hull which is adapted to be used in a conventional uprightposition and also be used in an overturned position, said hull beingadapted to capture a pocket of air when in said overturned position,means formed on said hull for connection of said hull to a towboat, saidmeans being formed to permit said bull to be towed when in saidoverturned position, means secured to said hull for supporting anindividual with at least the individuals head in said air pocket whensaid hull is in said overturned position, and manually adjustablecontrol means attached to said hull for controlling the depth of saidhull while it is being towed in said overturned position, said wallstructure including side walls, end walls and a bottom wall, said meansfor supporting an individual comprising at least one support whichextends between opposing side walls and is connected to said opposingside walls, said support being spaced from said bottom wall for use as aseat when said hull is in said upright position and when said hull is insaid overturned position, an individual may crawl between said supportand said bottom wall and lie on said support.

4. A dual purpose watercraft as in claim 3, wherein said support isconnected to said opposing side walls such that its position isadjustable longitudinally of said side walls 10 obtain desired balance.

5. A dual purpose watercraft as in claim 2, wherein one of said endwalls hasa transparent portion and is substantially flat, said one endwall being substantially normal to the direction of movement of saidhull when it is being towed and facing in the direction of movement.

6. A dual purpose watercraft comprising a bottom wall, two side walls,and two end walls, said walls being secured together to form awatertight hull which is open at the side opposite said bottom wall andwhich is sufficiently large to support an individual, at least a portionof said bottom wall and at least a portion of one end wall beingtransparent, means on said hull whereby said hull may be attached to atow boat and towed with said one end wall facing forward and said hulloverturned and said open side facing downwardly, and adjustable planesattached directly to said hull for controlling the depth of said hullwhen said hull has been overturned in the water such as to capture apocket of air within said hull, said pocket of air being bounded by saidhull and by water partially entering said open side and pressurizing theair in said pocket and an individual-may enter said pocket of airthrough said open side and cause said bull to submerge by manipulatingsaid planes as said hull is being towed.

7. A dual purpose watercraft comprising a substantially horizontalbottom wall, two substantially vertical side walls, a first end wall anda substantially vertical second end wall, said walls being securedtogether to form a watertight hull which is adapted to be used in aconventional upright position and also be used in an overturnedposition, said hull being adapted to capture a pocket of air when insaid overturned position, at least one seat extending between said sidewalls and attached at its ends to said side walls, said seat beingspaced from said bottom wall sufficiently far that an individual maycrawl between said seat and said bottom wall and lie on said seat whensaid hull is in said overturned position, at least a portion of saidsecond end wall being transparent, means formed on said side walls forattachment of said side walls to a tow boat, said means being formed topermit said hull to be towed when in said overturned position and withsaid second end wall facing forward, and manually adjustable controlmeans attached in said side walls for controlling the depth of said hullwhile it is being towed in said overturned position.

8. A dual purpose watercraft as in claim 7, wherein two seats areprovided and the position of said seats may be adjusted toward and awayfrom said second end wall.

9. A dual purpose watercraft as in claim 7, wherein at least a portionof said bottom wall is also transparent.

10. A dual purpose watercraft as in claim 7, wherein said control meanscomprises two pairs of planes adjacent the respective end walls, saidplanes extending outwardly from said side walls and being tiltable overaxes which are substantially normal to the direction of motion of saidhull while it is being towed.

11. A dual purpose watercraft as in claim 10, wherein said control meansfurther include a pair of shafts, both of said shafts extending from onesaid of said hull to the other and through said side Walls, said pairsof planes being secured to the ends of the respective shafts.

12. A dual p11 pose watercraft as in claim 11, and further includingIl'lL ans for rotatably mounting said shafts in said side walls, saidmounting means being watertight.

13. A dual purpose watercraft as in claim 12 and further including a barinterconnecting said shafts, and at least one handle secured to one ofsaid shafts, adjacent said second end wall, whereby movement of saidhandle causes equal movement of said shafts and said planes.

14-. A dual purpose watercraft as in claim 13, and further includingbiasing means for urging said planes to positions where they tend tomove said hull upwardly.

15. A dual purpose watercraft as in claim 14 wherein said biasing meanscomprises a tension spring connected between said hull and said bar.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,232,241 7/1917Diamond 114-16 2,843,860 7/1958 Grootveld 114-16 3,160,133 12/1964-Walker 114l6 MILTON BUCHLER, Primary Examiner. T. M. BLIX, AssistantExaminer.

1. A DUAL PURPOSE WATERCRAFT COMPRISING WALL STRUCTURE FORMING AWATERTIGHT HULL HAVING ONE OPEN SIDE, WHICH IS ADAPTED TO BE USED IN ACONVENTIONAL UPRIGHT POSITION WITH SAID OPEN SIDE UPPERMOST AND ALSO BEUSED IN AN OVERTURNED POSITION WITH SAID OPEN SIDE LOWERMOST, SAID HULLBEING ADAPTED TO CAPTURE A POCKET OF AIR WHEN IN SAID OVERTURNEDPOSITION, SAID POCKET OR AIR BEING BOUNDED BY SAID HULL AND BY WATERPARTIALLY ENTERING SAID OPEN SIDE AND PRESURIZING THE AIR IN SAIDPOCKET, MEANS FORMED ON SAID HULL FOR CONNECTION OF SAID HUYLL TO A TOWBOAT, SAID MEANS BEING FORMED TO PERMIT SAID HULL TO BE TOWED WHEN INSAID OVERTURNED POSITION, MEANS SECURED TO SAID HULL FOR SUPPORTING ANINDIVIDUAL WITH AT LEAST THE INDIVIDUAL''S HEAD IN SAID AIR POCKET WHENSAID HULL IS IN SAID OVERTURNED POSITION, AND MANUALLY ADJUSTABLECONTROL MEANS ATTACHED DIRECTLY TO SAID HULL FOR CONTROLLING THE DEPTHOF SAID HULL WHILE IT IS BEING TOWED IN SAID OVERTURNED POSITION.